Charlotte Golar Richie, the sole woman candidate in the Boston mayoral race, said Thursday on WCVB's political show OTR she believes the city is ready for a female mayor, but emphasized she is running on her credentials and ideas.

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"I don't want to act like it's totally irrelevant," said Richie about her status as the only woman in the race, but believes "that's not how I will be judged in the end."

However, Richie pointed to her endorsement from Emily's List and said she has received a "strong response" from various women's political groups.

A former state legislator and member of both Gov. Deval Patrick and current Mayor Tom Menino's administrations, she hinted she is hoping for help from Menino in the upcoming race that now has 12 candidates, including several others close to Menino, who has pledged to stay out of the competition.

"I don't have any news to share right now," said Richie when asked if she will ask Menino for help in either fundraising, field organization or an endorsement.

As for the large number of white males running, Richie said they will "bump heads getting to the finish line."

Richie also de-emphasized the need to raise large amounts of money to compete with candidates well ahead for her in that race.

"I don't have to compete dollar for dollar," she said.

On casinos, Richie said she supports the Suffolk Downs plan, but feels a vote among East Boston residents is sufficient and a citywide referendum isn't necessary. She declined to say how she would vote if she was an East Boston resident.

On schools, she praised recently departed Boston School Superintendent Carol Johnson, but said if elected she would not appoint someone who necessarily would closely walk in the same footsteps as Johnson.

One area she said she would like to see more emphasis is developing higher quality vocational education programs at Boston's high schools.